Samsung prices new NX-mount lenses

Last September, Samsung announced two new lenses for its NX-mount mirrorless cameras at the Photokina tradeshow in Cologne, Germany. Today, the company has taken advantage of another tradeshow to provide more information. At the just-launched PDN PhotoPlus Expo in New York, Samsung has provided US-market pricing for both lenses, which are also being displayed on the show floor. That, along with some more information on specifications for the new optics, means that the most important detail still unknown is just when you'll be able to lay your hands on either lens--availability hasn't yet been disclosed.

The Samsung NX Lens 12-24mm F4-5.6 ED is set to sell at a list price of US$600 or thereabouts, and has a 35mm-equivalent focal range of 18.5-37mm. The optical formula is comprised of 10 elements in eight groups, two of them aspheric and one extra-low dispersion. There's a seven-bladed, circular aperture that varies from a maximum of f/4.0 to f/5.6 across the zoom range, and can be stopped down to f/22. Focusing is possible to as close as 9.5 inches (24 cm), and the maximum magnification is approx. 0.14x (or 1:7). A lens hood is included, and the Samsung NX 12-24mm lens accepts 58mm threaded filters. It also supports Samsung's i-Function control system, and allows use of Backlight, Landscape, Sunset, Dawn, Beach&Snow, and Night i-Scene modes. With dimensions of 2.5 x 2.58 inches (63.5 x 65.5mm), this lens weighs 7.3 ounces (208 grams) without hood.

The Samsung NX Lens 45mm F1.8, meanwhile, will carry an affordable list price of just US$300, and offer a 35mm-equivalent focal length of 69.3mm on NX-mount bodies. The optical formula is seven elements in six groups, and there's a nine-bladed, circular aperture providing everything from a bright f/1.8 to f/22 when fully stopped down. Focusing is possible to as close as 17.7 inches (45 cm), and the maximum magnification is approx. 0.13x (or 1:8). A lens hood is again included, and the Samsung NX 45mm lens accepts 43mm threaded filters. It also supports Samsung's i-Function control system, and allows use of Night, Portrait, Beauty shot, Children, Backlight, and Sports i-Scene modes. With compact dimensions of 2.4 x 1.8 inches (62 x 44.5mm), this lens weighs just 4.1 ounces (115 grams) without hood.